Wire wheel.



R. W. ASHLEY & F. OBEBKIRCH.

WIRE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-1.19M.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

0 1 1. an F h E 1/ IIIImIAIII 4 I or R. W. ASHLEY 8; F. OBERKIRCH.

WIRE WHEEL.

- APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1913- Rd 1 9 l om 1 P p A d a P am T E E H 8T E E H s 3 win/l R. W. ASHLEY & F. OBERKIRCH.

WIRE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1913.

1L 9 1 1% Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

3 SHEET8-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES FILQEERT W. ASHLEE? AND FRANK OZBERKIRCH, OF YORK, N. Y.,ASSIGNOR-S TQ GENERAL IRXM COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

WIRE WHEEL.

Application filed August 1, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Bed-t known that We, Roiirnr ll/hillsHLnY andlinens. 'OBERKIRCH, citizens of the United States, and residents of NewYork city, in the county of New York and State not New York, haveini'ented certain new and useful improvements in Wire Wheels, oi whichthe following is a specification.

The invention relates .to improvements in Wire wheels and has particularreference to :1 wire .wheel of the type provided with a se; ries ofinterloced Wire spokes under tension, the Wheel rim thereof being soformed as to constitute n Wheel fellyhsnd as well as a demountulole rimsupporting member. By constructing n Wire Wheel in the manner as ishereinafterdescribed it is "found that the Wheel telly o1 demountehlerim supporting base will take diverse types of demountahle rimscomprisingthe individual straight side type of rim, the individualclencher bend type of rim and the universal reversible flanged type ofrim;

The object oi? the invention is the providing of e wheel rim folly, andn standard hearing huhuhsving' suspended. under tension between said rimand hub in separate alinement four series of spokes in four (lliE'ferei'lt positions, namely, first, from the rear of the huh to the rearof the rim, (the vertical or right angle series), second, from the rearof the hub to approximately the front of the rim, (the obtuse-series ofspokes), third, from approximately the rear of the r rim to the front ofthe hub, (one of the acute series of spokes oppositely, opposed to theobtuse series of spokes), the second ind third series of spokes crossingone another at a point substantially on a plane with the center treadline of the Wheel, and fourth, from the front of the rim to the front ofthe hub (the secondary acute series of spokes of a lesser inclinationthan the first mentioned acute series of spokes). By stringing :1 WireWheel in this manner the first or vertical series of spokes takes careof the vertical and driving thrust, the second or obtuse series takescare of the outward transverse thrust and. assists sni'dt series ofspokes in taking care of th gg'ht susnining and traction sustnini s. thethird series or first mentioned acute es of spokes takes care of theinward. tr thrust desisting the ohtuse series oi? spokes in that theseintermediate series of spokes are oppositely Specification of LettersPatent.

. Patented Apr. 13}, i915.

Serial No. 782,336.

opposed in their diagonally inclined planes, and the fourth or lesseracute series of spokes tulres cure of a substantial portiomoi hearing,outward and inward transverse thrust, us well usnssisting in all theother positions the first, second and third series of spokes. Bysetting" up a wheel of this type under tension a satisfactory, reliable,light ,aud durable suspension wheel is had, the result being thereduction to form and practice of a true and correct four pointsuspension Wheel.

Another object of the invention is the providing of a hub designed totake the standard bearing! spindles and sleeves having cost integrallytherewith u flange adapted to have mounted therein two separate series0i. spokes, and a rcceptionhead adapted to receive driving;means't'orming part of udriw ing axle, the body of suid'liub beingarranged to take the other or remaining series of spokes. The type andmanner of stringing the spokes comprised in the structure disclosedherein may be mounted between a deinountable rim ands hub shell so thatit may be utilized in connection with either the demountahle rim type ofstructure or it may be utilized in a structure wherein the Wheel in itsentirety is demountable.

Another and further object of the inven tion is the providing of aWheelfelly rim reinforced onbofh of its edges so that the some may beconstructed of a light body of steel, such reinforcement heingsoarranged as to take means for receiving and locking thereto ademounteble rim of any type carrying'means to also take any type ofcushion or pneumatic tires. The hub structure is so arranged that thespoke supporting flange may be readily bolted tothe brake drum of amotor car, (wherein the rear wheel structure is used, the front Wheelhub structure being also of a. standard type) obviating the necessity ofchanging any of the standnrd parts on n motor car when one is desirousof changing from :1 Wooden or artillery wheel type of equipment to thewire Wheel type oi. equipment. t In the following is described, inconnection with the accompanying drawings, the embodiment of theinvention the features thereof, h more particularly pointed outhereii'iaiter 1 r the u"; l. is u. vertical Wheel type oil:

structure illustrating the position of the four point spoke suspension'wherein the four series of spokes are mounted in two lines of contacton both the hub and rim; Fig. 2. is a vertical sectional view of therear wheel structure illustrating the manner in which the four series ofspokes are mounted in four lines of contact on the hub and two lines ofcontact on the rim and also the means of attaching the structure as awhole to the brake drum, forming part of a motor vehicle; Fig. 3. is aside elevation partly in diagran'nnatical illustration of the wheelshowing the type of suspension spoke interlacing; Fig. 1. is a faceelevation of the rear hub structure; Fig. 5. is a cross section of thewheel felly rim illustrating in connection therewith the position aclencher type of demountable rims assumes thereon; Fig. 6. is a furthercross section of the wheel fell'y rim illustrating the straight sidetype of demountable rim thereon and Fig. 7. is a diagrammaticalillustration of a standard hub structure illustrating the manner inwhich the four series of spokes are supported thereon, the lines ofsupport being substantially at right angles thereto, and furthermoreapproximately at right angles to the oz l iexact position of the obtuseand acute series 3 of spokes Similar numerals of reference indicatesimilar parts throughout the several views. In drawings (1) indicatesthe hub of the front wheel type of structure provided internally thereofwith bearing shell cavities (2) and at its rear edge with acircularfiangc (3) which is so arranged as to take a speedometersprocket of any ty e The shell portion of hub (1) at the rear t iereofis pro vided with a raised beading (4t) and at the front edge with a'similar bead (5), the extreme outer edge of said hub being externallythreaded to take a suitable hub cap (6). Beading l) has formed thereinin a single alinement a series of holes adapted to take the vertical orright angle series of spokes (7) (series H.) the upper ends of saidseries of spokes (7) being provided with suitable nipples (8) andmounted in cups (9) on wheel felly rim (10). Said series of spokes (7)need not be set at a deflecting right angle, but they may be set ordished either into an acute or an obtuse an gle', as in some instancesthe width of the hub (1) necessitates the dishing of said series ofspokes.

(11) designates the second 'or obtuse series of spokes mounted inbeading (4) of hub (1) in alinement wi h the'series of spokes (7),whencethey project from the back portion of said hub to approximately theforward portion of rim (10) wherein they are adjustably mounted in thesame manner as se ies (7) (obtuse series G). (12) indicates an'acuteseries of spokes series B.) cross the series of spokes (11) onapproximately the tread center line of the wheel and in weight and forceresistance are oppositely opposed to said spokes series (11).

(13) designates a series of acute spokes strung from the forward portionof the hub in the same alinement as the series of spokes (12) toapproximately the forward portion of the rim (10) in the same alinementat the rim point as the series of spokes (11), said series of spokes(13) (acute series of spokes A.) are of a lesser acute angle than of theseries of spokes (12). The series of spokes (7) takes care of thevertical or driving thrust and series of spokes 11 takes care of theoutward transverse thrust assisted by the series of spokes (12) to whichthey are oppositely opposed, which takes care of the inward transversethrust, which assists and equalizes the distributi n of the vcrticle andboth inward and outward transverse thrusts. and the series of spokes(18) takes care of the bearing thrust as well as assisting in equalizingthe forces upon all of the aforementioned series of spokes.

Him (10) has formed on one edge a depending channei (14-) forreinforcing same at that point and on its back edge a reception beading(14) for reinforcing that edge, thereby permitting a wheel folly rim forieavy types of cars to be constructed out of comparatively a light sheetstecl,thereby providing a wheel that is light in its superstructure andone that will actually increase the life of a tire used upon it, as thelife of a tire used upon a wire wheel of this type is due to theabsorption of shock on the suspension tension means in the wheel itself,rather than any appreciable decrease in the weight of the wheel at itsperiphery thereof, which is the rim, the result obtained being that thewheel may be provided with a substantial and heavy rim rather than atype of a wheel which has heretofore had in it the main object ofreducing the weight of a wheel at said periphery.

)Vith reference to Fig. 2. of the drawings, hub (15) is made in onepiece and ,has

formed therein bearing reception cavity (16) I and at its back portion aflange (17) provided with a circular channel (18) having cut therein twolines of apertures (19) and a series of holes (20) adapted to-rceeivearsenal.

"in the other line of apertures (19) in head 10 (18) and extendtherefrom to the forward portion of rim (10), (obtuse spokes series Gr).Series of spokes (12-) extend from one line of apertures (24:) in shell(23), which is the forward portion of the huh to the back of riin (10)in the same alinenient. with. the series of spokes (7), (acute spokesseries B. oppositely opposed to obtuse series spokes G. and crossing oneanother at approximately the tread center line of the wheel rim). Seriesof spokes (13), (acute spokes series A.) extend from the other he; ofholes in sleeve (23) or the fQlWZHtll portion of the hub, toapproximately the forward portion of rim (10) in'alineinent with theseries of spokes (11). said series of spokes (13) being at a lesseracute angle than said series of spokes (12).

'With reference to Figs. 5. and 6. of the drawings the structure asillustrated in ljig.

5. shows the wheel telly rirn as having mounted in channel (i l) thereofa locking ring (28) engaging and supporting head (29) on a clencher tywe of rim (30). This structure is provide for the individual clencherbead type of tire. in Fig. 6; the (lemountable rim (30) is provided withstraight side heads (31) for the individual straight side type of tire.

Referring to Fig. 'i'. of the drawings, the diagram as illustrated.shows a standard roller bearinghub (32) for either the front or rearwheel types of construction, the rear shell portion of said huh havingformed integrally therewith a circular flange (33) adapted-to receivetwo series of spokes, the outer end of said huh (82)}laring outwardly asat (3 and provided with means adapted to receive a hub cslp (35). Thediagonally inclined portion (3d) of hub (32) receives the two remainingseries of spokes. The right angle or vertical series of spokes ll.

' takes care of the vertical thrust on the wheel and assists the drivingspokes in taking care of the weight of the suspension of the body towhich the wheel is applied, and is indicated by the line 0--o, theseries of spokes Gt takes care of the outward transverse thrust,assisting; series oi spokes lhl. and are mounted in flange at a pointsubstan tially at a right angle to the periphery oi flange (83) and isrepresented by the line n-n. Series of spokes ll. extend from the frontoi the huh to the hack oi the rim and is represented by the hue Inf-4nand or sees the run center tread line at on by y- Said series of spokesB. taking care of the inward transverse thrust and assists series oispokes G., and the series of spokes It.- takes care of the bearingsustaining means and assists all of the {l'EOl'QIllQfltlfillGt'l spokesand is represented by the line ZZ and ex tends from the front of the hubto the front of the rim. Series of spokes (8) are mounted in the rim andhub at a right angle to the axis oi said hub, series of spokes G. aremounted with respect to the rim and hub on an obtuse angle. T he exacttangential inclination of said series oi. spokes being had by thedistance of suspension between the outer periphery of the hub flange(33) and the telly rim of the wheel; the strength of the wheel. at thispoint being maintained by the increase of the diameter of the flange(83). Series of spokes H. are mounted from the rear of the hub to therear of the rim and said series of spokes G. are mounted from the rearof the hub to approximately the front of the rim. Series of spokes B.are mounted at an acute angle to the axis of the hub and are so placedwith relation to said rim and hub that the tangential inclination of thesame is substantially op osite the obtuse angle series of spokes thepoint where said oppositely opposed spokes cross each other beingsubstantially on the tread center line of the wheel. Said series ofspokes B. are mounted in the front ofthe approximately the front of therim in the.

same alineinent at that point with the so ries of spokes G. By st'inging a series of spokes under tension between a hub and rim, and bysegregating said spokes into four independent series. arranging them sothat at the rim point two of each series are in alinement with eachoppositely opposed series, and by mounting each of said four series infour separate lines of contact with the hub structure a i oucpointsuspension wheel is had, thereby providing a wheel of this type, farsuperior inv its weight, strength and driving power sustaining ineans.

It is obvious that the device herein shown and described may be variedin its structural torn! and features without departing from the spiritof the invention.

W hat we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates. is:

1. A device or" the character described including a vehicle wheelcomprising a rim provided with nonbolted-on locking means for anauxiliary or demountablo rim, a hub and four series of spokes connectingsaid rim andhub, oneseries extending from the back of the hub to theback of the rim, another series extending from the-back of the hub tothefront of the rim, another series extendin from the front of the hub tothe back of tie rim, and a fourth series extending from the front of thehub to the front of the rim, three of said series being an .back of thehub to the back of the rim, an-

other series extending from the back of the hub to the front of the rim,another series extending fronr the front of the hub to the back of therim, and a fourth series extending from the front of the hub to thefront of the rim, three of said series being angularly disposedrelatii'e to the central plane of the wheel and the other series beingapproximately parallel with said plane, the central plane of the rim andthe cen tral plane of rotation of the hub being removed from oneanother, two of said series of spokes being arranged so as to cross oneanother on the plane of the tread center of the wheel.

3. A device of the character described in.- cluding a vehicle wheelcomprising a rim provided with nonbolted-on locking means for anauxiliary or deinountable rim, a hub back of the rim, and a, fourthseries extending from the front of the hub to the front of the rim,three of said series being anglilarlydisposcd relative to the centralplane .if the wheel and the other series being a ppi'oximately parallelwith said plane, tln central plane of the rim and the central plane ofrotation of the hub being removed from one another, two of said seriesof spokes being arranged so as to cross one another on the plane of thetread center of the wheel, said four series of spokes being mounted intwo separate lines of contact in said rim and four separate lines ofcontact in said hub.

4. A device of the character described comprising an integral shell hubhaving formed therewith a supporting flange at its inner end, and at itsouter end an enlarged shell and driving head, and four series of spokesconnecting said rim and hub, two of said series being mounted in saidsupporting flange and two of said series being mounted in said enlargedsupporting shell, all of said series of spokes being mounted in twolines ofcontact on said rim and four lines of contact on said hub, twoof said series of spokes crossing each other at or near the plane ortread center of the wheel.

In testimony whereof we have hereto signed our names in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT \V. ASHLEY. FRANK OBERKIRCH. \Vitnesses E. E. Hames, A. DELATOS.

